Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for his very important question.
I can inform him and the House that through the government wide youth employment strategy we are creating nearly 280,000 work experiences for youth over three years. This year alone the strategy will create over 93,000 work experiences for young Canadians.
We know that our programs are working. A November 1997 survey of Youth Internship Canada and Youth Service Canada programs show that 85% of Youth Service Canada participants and 88% of Youth Internship Canada participants are either employed or in school 6 to 12 months after completing the program. This year alone these two programs will help over 30,000 youth get valuable work experience.
Today the Minister of Human Resources Development launched student summer job action 1998. This program with a total budget of $120 million will create over 60,000 summer jobs and help 350,000 students across the country in their search for summer employment. These are but a few of the initiatives we have undertaken to help young Canadians find work.
Much remains to be done. A 15.8% youth unemployment rate is still much too high. That is why the Prime Minister and his provincial colleagues confirmed during last December's first ministers meeting that helping our youth find employment was a national priority. They reiterated the need to work together.
Consequently the Minister of Human Resources Development will continue to work with his provincial and territorial colleagues to put in motion an action plan on youth employment. The plan will recognize that governments, the private sector and communities have roles to play to help young Canadians get and keep a job.
Madam Speaker, stay tuned on Tuesday when the budget is released and you will see even more priorities of the government.